Statewide snapshot
77/100Alpaca climate comfort score (state average)
82°FAverage high, Jul (state average)
22°FAverage low, Jan (state average)
~5Days above 90°F (32°C) per year (state average)
~115Frost nights per year (state average)
49 inAnnual precipitation (state average)
5Barber pole worm months (state average)
14Hay bales / alpaca / year (state average)
Average highAverage lowPrecipitation
Average of 5 county normals (NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020). Conditions vary a lot within the state — open your county below.
Statewide challenges
- Summer heat — heat-stress precautions needed in Jul–Aug
- Barber pole worm — long warm-wet parasite season (May–Sep)
- Meningeal worm — white-tailed deer parasite is established in this region
- Low selenium — regional soils and hay tend to be selenium-deficient
Most alpaca-friendly counties
- Bristol County — 77/100
- Kent County — 77/100
- Newport County — 77/100
- Providence County — 77/100
- Washington County — 77/100
Most challenging counties
- Bristol County — 77/100
- Kent County — 77/100
- Newport County — 77/100
- Providence County — 77/100
- Washington County — 77/100
All 5 counties
Click a column to sort. Temperatures in °F; “worm months” follow Gordon's bioclimatograph for barber pole worm.
| County | Peak high | Lowest low | Days ≥90°F | Frost nights | Worm months | Shear | Hay bales | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol County | 82 | 23 | 5 | 106 | 5 | Apr | 14 | 77 |
| Kent County | 82 | 20 | 5 | 122 | 5 | May | 14 | 77 |
| Newport County | 81 | 23 | 4 | 104 | 5 | Apr | 13 | 77 |
| Providence County | 82 | 19 | 5 | 128 | 5 | May | 14 | 77 |
| Washington County | 82 | 22 | 5 | 115 | 5 | Apr | 14 | 77 |
Typical alpaca care calendar for Rhode Island
Based on statewide averages — your county page has a calendar tuned to local conditions.
January 38° / 22°F
- Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
- Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
- Toenail check and trim.
February 40° / 23°F
- Book your shearer now — spring calendars fill up fast.
- Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
- Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
March 47° / 29°F
- CDT boosters for females due next month; prepare a clean birthing paddock and birthing kit.
- Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
- Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
- Toenail check and trim.
April 58° / 38°F
- Shearing month: shear the whole herd, and trim toenails, check teeth and body condition while animals are restrained.
- Run pre-season fecal egg counts so you know each animal's baseline.
- Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
- Cria season: check due dates daily, ensure crias nurse within 4 hours, dip navels and weigh crias daily for two weeks.
- Spring grass: switch from hay to pasture gradually over 1–2 weeks and monitor body condition.
May 68° / 48°F
- Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
- Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
- Cria season: check due dates daily, ensure crias nurse within 4 hours, dip navels and weigh crias daily for two weeks.
- Breeding window for next year's crias (rebreed females 2–4 weeks after birthing).
- Toenail check and trim.
June 76° / 57°F
- Warm spells possible — watch for open-mouth breathing in heavy-fleeced or dark animals.
- Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
- Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
- Cria season: check due dates daily, ensure crias nurse within 4 hours, dip navels and weigh crias daily for two weeks.
- Breeding window for next year's crias (rebreed females 2–4 weeks after birthing).
July 82° / 63°F
- Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
- Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
- Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
- Breeding window for next year's crias (rebreed females 2–4 weeks after birthing).
- Toenail check and trim.
August 81° / 62°F
- Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
- Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
- Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
September 74° / 55°F
- Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
- Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
- Toenail check and trim.
October 63° / 44°F
- Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
- Secure winter hay: about 14 small square bales per alpaca per year here — test a sample before buying.
- Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
November 52° / 35°F
- Winter prep: install water heaters, repair shelters and windbreaks, stock bedding.
- Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
- Toenail check and trim.
December 43° / 27°F
- Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
- Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
Key recommendations for Rhode Island
- Shearing: April.
- Best months for crias to be born: Apr–Jun (breed in May–Jul).
- Heat precautions: Jul–Aug.
- Barber pole worm season: May–Sep — run fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks in these months.
- Freezing nights: Dec–Mar — keep water from freezing.
- Vitamin D for crias: Oct–Mar.
- Grazing season: Apr–Oct (about 7 months); feed hay the rest of the year.
- Meningeal worm: Meningeal worm (carried by white-tailed deer) is established in this region and is a leading cause of neurological disease in alpacas. Talk to your vet about a prevention plan for the snail season.
- Selenium: Soils and hay in this state are often selenium-deficient. Use a camelid mineral formulated for low-selenium areas and blood-test a few animals each year.
Alpaca farms & shops in Rhode Island
Bear, Lion, Alpaca, and Goat House
Island Alpaca Company
Pine Hill Alpaca Farm
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL). Listing is not an endorsement.
Frequently asked questions
Can you raise alpacas in Rhode Island?
Yes. Alpacas are kept successfully in most climates with good management. Rhode Island scores 77/100 (good) on our alpaca climate comfort scale; the key issues are summer heat, barber pole worm and meningeal worm.
Which part of Rhode Island is best for alpacas?
By our climate comfort score, the most alpaca-friendly counties are Bristol County, Kent County and Newport County; the most challenging are Bristol County, Kent County and Newport County.
When should alpacas be shorn in Rhode Island?
Plan shearing for April, once nights stay above about 38°F (3°C) but before summer heat builds.
What is the best time for crias to be born in Rhode Island?
Mild months suit newborn crias best — here that is Apr–Jun. For births then, breed females in May–Jul (gestation is about 335 days).
How much hay does an alpaca need per year in Rhode Island?
With roughly 5 months of little or no grazing, plan on about 699 lb (317 kg) — around 14 small square bales — per adult alpaca per year, plus waste.
How hot does it get for alpacas in Rhode Island?
Heat-stress precautions are needed in Jul–Aug. We estimate about 5 days a year above 90°F (32°C).